Florida State's Jameis Winston Won't Be Charged

A state attorney in Florida said on Thursday that he has decided not to file sexual battery charges against Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, a month ahead of the Jan. 6 national-championship game in which Winston's top-ranked team is expected to play.

The announcement by Willie Meggs, the prosecuting attorney in Tallahassee, Fla., concluded a three-week investigation into an allegation by a fellow student in connection with a December 2012 alleged incident.

"I think justice was served," said Tim Jansen, Winston's attorney, after the announcement. Patricia Carroll, the alleged victim's attorney, said, "The victim and her family appreciate the state attorney's efforts in attempting to conduct a proper investigation."

A prosecutor says Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston will not be charged in a sexual assault case. The Heisman Trophy candidate was accused of raping a female student in December last year. (Photo/Video: AP)

Winston, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman, is the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, which will be awarded on Dec. 14. Some voters had puzzled over what to do if the state attorney's office hadn't made a decision on Winston by the Dec. 9 voting deadline. According to its mission statement, the Heisman is awarded to "the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity."

Jansen, Winston's attorney, has confirmed that his client's DNA matched that of evidence gathered by investigators on the night of the alleged incident, but said Winston had consensual sex with the alleged victim.

Nearly a year passed between the police report taken early on the morning of the Dec. 7, 2012 and when the incident became public via media reports on Nov. 13. On the same day, Meggs heard of it for the first time, he said. It isn't clear what caused the delay between the Tallahassee Police Department investigation and the state attorney's office's work.

Carroll's statement criticized the police department for the delay in the case, and said the victim had "grave concerns that her experience, as it unfolded in the public eye and through social media, will discourage other victims of rape from coming forward and reporting."

Documents released Thursday by the police include an incident report dated Feb. 11 that said, "this case is being suspended at this time due to a lack of cooperation from the victim. If the victim decides to press charges, the case will be pursued."

A police spokesman declined further comment Thursday.

According to Florida State's code of conduct for athletes, a Florida State student charged with a felony isn't allowed to compete in games until the charge is resolved, unless there are "extraordinary circumstances as determined by the administration."

Florida State is ranked No. 1 in the Bowl Championship Series standings and likely would play No. 2 Ohio State for the championship if each wins its conference title game on Saturday. The Seminoles are 29-point favorites over Duke in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game.